Lebanese Soldier Held by ISIL Set Free after Negotiations

The Qatari delegation returned from Arsal on Tuesday accompanied by the Lebanese soldier Kamal Al-Hujainri, who was kidnapped while looking after his father's farm in the Hamid valley, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Hujairi was handed to a patrol of the Lebanese General Security at Ein Assha'b checkpoint in Arsal, it added.

Assafir daily newspaper pointed out that the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) terrorist group has released Hujairi, who was kidnapped from his farm in Hamid valley in Arsal on September 17.

Hujairi was released after negotiations led by the Qatari envoy who went to Arsal barrens accompanied by elements of the Lebanese General Security to negotiate with the kidnappers, the daily added.

ISIL and Al-Nusra Front terrorists fought battles with Lebanese troops in Arsal in August. They withdrew after a truce to the mountains outside the town, but took several dozen army and police hostages with them as they left.

The released soldier was not among that group of hostages, three of whom have since been executed.

ISIL terrorists killed three soldiers among the kidnapped troops, Ali Assayyed and Abbas Medlej were beheaded and Mohammad Hamiyyeh was shot dead.